The 2026 Formula 1 championship is set to intensify at the Italian Grand Prix, with the points leader, Kimi Antonelli, forced to start from the back of the grid after a power‑unit replacement. Antonelli currently enjoys a 59‑point cushion over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship, yet his most immediate challenger could be Lando Norris, who sits 83 points behind but has claimed victory in the previous two races.
Given Antonelli’s unlikely chance of winning at Monza from the rear, his rivals have a prime opportunity to chip away at his lead. The Italian crowd, known as the Tifosi, will be out in force supporting Ferrari, and the Scuderia is expected to fit fresh engines into the cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton without incurring any grid penalties. The team hopes that the additional horsepower will restore them to winning form after disappointing results in Hungary and the Netherlands—circuits where Ferrari had been tipped to perform strongly.
Last year’s winner at Monza was Max Verstappen, and Red Bull will be eager to replicate that success thanks to a powerful power unit that could keep them near the front of the pack this weekend. Monza holds a special place in Formula 1 history. It is one of only four circuits that still appear on the original 1950 World Championship calendar, alongside Monaco, Silverstone and Spa‑Francorchamps. Nicknamed the "Temple of Speed," Monza is famed for its long straights that allow cars to reach blistering top‑speeds.
The primary overtaking zone is the first chicane after the start‑finish straight, but battles frequently spill through the Curva Grande and continue into Turn 4. After that, drivers negotiate two tight 90‑degree right‑handers known as the Lesmos, then accelerate down another long straight toward the Ascari Chicane, before tackling the final sweeping corner, the Parabolica.
The weather outlook for the weekend is favorable, with forecasts predicting clear skies and temperatures hovering around 30 °C, meaning rain should not interfere with the on‑track action. **Weekend Schedule** *Thursday 3 September* – 1 pm: Drivers' Press Conference; 4 pm: Paddock Uncut. *Friday 4 September* – 7:30 am: F3 Practice; 8:55 am: F2 Practice; 11:00 am: Italian Grand Prix Practice 1 (starts at 11:30 am); 12:55 pm: F3 Qualifying; 1:50 pm: F2 Qualifying; 2:35 pm: Italian Grand Prix Practice 2 (starts at 3:00 pm); 4:15 pm: The F1 Show; 5:20 pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference.
*Saturday 5 September* – 8:25 am: F3 Sprint; 11:15 am: Italian Grand Prix Practice 3 (starts at 11:30 am); 1:10 pm: F2 Sprint; 2:15 pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying build‑up; 3:00 pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying*; 5:00 pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook. *Sunday 6 September* – 7:10 am: F3 Feature Race; 8:40 am: F2 Feature Race; 10:40 am: Porsche Supercup Race; 12:30 pm: Grand Prix Sunday – Italian GP build‑up; 2:00 pm: THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX; 4:00 pm: Chequered Flag – post‑race reaction; 5:00 pm: Ted's Notebook.
*All sessions marked with an asterisk are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.* **How to Watch** - **Television:** Sky Sports F1 will carry every session from Friday’s first practice through to the Sunday race, which starts at 2 pm. - **App:** Sky subscribers can stream the coverage via the Sky Sports app, with the added perk of being able to select an on‑board camera feed for any driver. - **Streaming (Non‑Sky):** Viewers without a Sky subscription can access the action through NOW, either with a day‑pass or a flexible month‑to‑month membership that can be cancelled at any time. - **Live Blog:** For those on the move, a dedicated F1 live‑blog provides minute‑by‑minute updates throughout the weekend.
- **Highlights:** Sky Sports app users can watch race highlights shortly after the chequered flag. **Additional Sky Sports Benefits** Sky customers can also take advantage of Sky ID assistance to locate or create their Sky ID, ensuring a smooth login experience across devices. NOW is an on‑demand streaming platform that grants access to all twelve Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and a host of additional content. The service works on more than 60 devices, offers contract‑free plans, and allows users to cancel whenever they wish.
Membership can be purchased on a daily or monthly basis; the latest pricing details are available on the NOW website. In summary, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza promises high‑speed drama, strategic intrigue, and a pivotal moment in the 2026 title fight. Whether you are a Sky subscriber, a NOW user, or simply following the live blog, there are multiple ways to stay connected to every twist and turn of the weekend’s racing action.